Golf putter training device

ABSTRACT

The present invention provides an approved golf club alignment system. The invention includes a putter head. The putter head includes a flat club face, a top surface and a bottom surface. The top surface has a cylindrical recess therein with a side wall and a circular bottom. Preferably, the side wall and bottom are in contrasting colors. The top of the cylindrical recess includes a lip with an inside diameter which is smaller than the inside diameter of the inside cylindrical wall. Therefore, when the golfer&#39;s head is properly over the putter head and the putter is level with the ground in all directions, the lip of the recess obscures the side wall of the cylinder. The golfer sees only the bottom circular surface. Because the side wall of the cylinder and the bottom surface are made of contrasting colors, if the golfer&#39;s head and club are not aligned properly, the contrasting side wall will be visible.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates golf training aids. More particularly, the present invention relates to a putting training aid which improves the golfer's alignment for proper putting.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The game of golf is one of the most widely enjoyed sports activities in the world. The number of persons participating in this activity, both at the professional and recreational level, is almost unparalleled. Not only is this activity already widespread, but also the ranks of golfers continue to swell at an unprecedented rate.

The sport of golf is typically played on a course consisting of nine or eighteen “holes”. A set of clubs is used to strike a golf ball along each hole comprising the course. Each hole consists of a starting location wherein a golfer places a ball and initially strikes the ball towards a green. Each green includes a recessed cup, and it is the object of the golfer to strike the ball with a series of strokes into the cup. Different clubs are used to vary the height, distance and spin of the ball, and a set of clubs may number ten or more. The holes normally vary in length from short holes of approximately one hundred yards to longer holes of five hundred yards and greater. The holes are flanked by rough areas out of which it is more difficult to play, and hazards are provided to increase the intricacy and precision required in play.

One of the more difficult aspects of the game is putting. Putting, in the game of golf, takes place when the golfer has hit the ball onto the putting green, where the cup is located. Accurate putting is essential for a golfer to be able to play golf well. Many putting training aids have been developed over the years to help improve a golfer's putting game.

When putting, proper club, ball alignment is essential to making a good putt. A common mistake that many golfers make is to improperly position their putter before making a putt. For example, golfers often do not ensure that the bottom surface of the club is level with the ground. The club may be angled such that it is not level from front to back, side to side or diagonally. Any stroke made with an improperly positioned club increases the risk of a bad putt. Furthermore, proper placement of the head of the golfer is necessary for a proper putt. The golfer's head should be placed directly over the club head and ball. There are various types of training aids in the prior art which attempt to help the golfer solve these problems. Most of the designs include alignment marks at various places on the top of the club.

For example, U.S. Pat. No. 4,458,900 issued to Antonious includes alignment marks on the top surface of the club. In addition, a recessed area adjacent to those alignment marks is provided which also includes alignment marks. While this invention provides some assistance in aligning the club, it does not allow for omni-directional alignment.

U.S. Pat. No. 4,136,877 also issued to Antonious has a similar design. In this design, a club head is hollow and has a circular aperture therein. Surrounding the circular aperture are alignment marks in two directions. On the bottom surface of the inside of the club, additional alignment marks are present. In use, the object is to keep the lines on the outside of the putter aligned with the lines on the inside. This patent also provides additional embodiments with similar alignment features. Again, the alignment is not omni-directional and does not ensure that the head of the golfer is properly placed directly over the putter.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention provides an improved golf club alignment system. The invention includes a putter shaft having a hand grip at one end. The other end of the putter shaft terminates at a putter head. The putter head may be of various shapes, but includes a flat club face, a top surface and a bottom surface. The top surface has a cylindrical recess therein. The cylindrical recess has a side wall and a circular bottom. Preferably, the cylinder has a diameter of between 15 mm and 45 mm. Preferably, the side wall and bottom are in contrasting colors. The top of the cylindrical recess has a lip. The lip has an inside diameter which is smaller than the inside diameter of the inside cylindrical wall. The difference between the diameter of the lip and the diameter of the inside wall of the cylinder should preferably be in the range of 0.5 mm to 1.5 mm. Therefore, when the golfer's head is properly over the putter head and the putter is level with the ground in all directions, the lip of the recess completely obscures the side wall of the cylinder. The golfer sees only the bottom circular surface. Because the side wall of the cylinder and the bottom surface are made of contrasting colors, if the golfer's head and club are not aligned properly, the contrasting side wall will be visible. The golfer can then adjust his position and the position of the club for proper alignment.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The present invention will now be described, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the golf putter training apparatus of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a front elevation view of the invention of FIG. 1; and

FIG. 3 is a top view of the invention of FIG. 1

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS

FIGS. 1-3 illustrate the present invention. As shown in FIGS. 1-3, the putter 10 includes a shaft 12 and a putter head 20. The shaft 12 can be made from any suitable material such as steel, graphite or any other material of which golf club shafts are made. Similarly, the putter head 20 can be made of various metals know in the art, including various alloys of aluminum or steel, such as, for example, aluminum 6061, stainless steel, carbon steel, or various other suitable materials. The shaft 12 is attached at its bottom end 14 to the putter head 20, as is know in the art. The shaft 12 has at its other end (not shown) a hand grip as is also know in the art. The putter head 20 may be of various shapes, but is shown as one configuration for illustration purposes. The putter head 20 includes a flat club face 22 (FIG. 2), a top surface 24 and a bottom surface 26. The club face 22 could include an insert of a dissimilar material if desired, such as soft metal, plastic, urethane plastic or various other materials. The top surface 24 has a cylindrical recess 30 therein. The diameter 38 (shown as line A in FIG. 1) of the cylindrical recess 30 could vary widely depending on the size of the putter head 20, but is preferably in the range of 15 mm to 45 mm. The cylindrical recess 30 has a side wall 32 and a circular bottom 34. Preferably, the side wall 32 and bottom 34 are in contrasting colors. The top 40 of the cylindrical recess 30 includes a lip 42. The diameter of the cylindrical recess must be large enough such that the golfer has a clear view of the bottom of the recess. The lip 42 has an inside diameter 44 (shown as line B in FIG. 1) which is, preferably between 0.5 mm and 1.5 mm smaller than the inside diameter of the inside cylindrical side wall 32. Therefore, when the golfer's head (not shown) is properly over the putter head 20 and the putter 10 is level with the ground 50 in all directions, the lip 42 of the recess 30 obscures the side wall 32 of the cylindrical recess 30. The golfer sees only the bottom 34 circular surface. Because the side wall of the cylinder and the bottom surface are made of contrasting colors, if the golfer's head and club are not aligned properly, the contrasting side wall 32 will be visible. The golfer can then adjust his position and the position of the club for proper alignment.

While many putting training aids can only be used for training, it is intended that the putting training aid will be suitable for use in actual game play. The putter head 20 may be designed such that it conforms to the United States Golf Association rules and may be used as a putter in competition.

While the invention has been described by reference to various specific embodiments, it should be understood that numerous changes may be made within the spirit and scope of the inventive concepts described. Accordingly, it is intended that the invention not be limited to the described embodiments, but will have full scope defined by the language of the following claims. 

1. A golf putter comprising: a club shaft; a putter head connected to the club shaft having a top surface, a bottom surface and a club face; a substantially cylindrical recess in the top surface having a top end terminating at the top surface, a side wall with a diameter and a bottom; and a lip formed at the top end of the substantially cylindrical recess, the lip having a diameter smaller than the diameter of the side wall.
 2. The golf putter of claim 1 wherein the bottom of the recess is a first color and the side wall is a second color.
 3. The golf putter of claim 2 in which the side wall has a diameter of at least 15 mm and the diameter of the lip is at least 13.5 mm.
 4. The golf putter of claim 1 in which the club face is substantially planer.
 5. The golf club of claim 1 in which the putter head includes a first metal alloy.
 6. The golf club of claim 5 in which the club face includes an insert constructed of a second metal alloy.
 7. The golf club of claim 6 in which the putter head is constructed of an alloy of aluminum.
 8. The golf club of claim 7 in which the putter head is constructed of an alloy of steel.
 9. The golf club of claim 8 in which the alloy of steel is stainless steel.
 10. The golf club of claim 8 in which the alloy of steel is carbon steel.
 11. The golf club of claim 5 in which the club face includes an insert constructed from a material softer than the first metal alloy.
 12. The golf club of claim 11 in which the insert is urethane plastic. 